breakaway

[ breyk-uh-wey ]

/ ˈbreɪk əˌweɪ /

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See synonyms for breakaway on Thesaurus.com

noun

an act or instance of breaking away; secession; separation: the breakaway of two provinces from a state.

a departure or break from routine or tradition: a three-day breakaway in the Bahamas.

a person or thing that breaks away.

an object, as a theatrical prop, constructed so that it breaks or falls apart easily, especially upon impact.

Ice Hockey. a sudden rush down the ice by a player or players in an attempt to score a goal, after breaking clear of defending opponents.

Football. a run by an offensive player breaking through the defense for a long gain.

Basketball. fast break.

Australian.

a stampede.
an animal that breaks away from the herd or flock.

adjective

of, relating to, or being that which separates or secedes: the breakaway faction of the Socialist party.

departing from routine or tradition.

constructed of such lightweight material or in such a way as to shatter or come apart easily: breakaway highway signposts; Build a breakaway set for the barroom brawl.

(of theatrical costumes) constructed so as to be quickly removable, as by a performer playing several roles.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of breakaway

First recorded in 1885–95; noun, adj. use of verb phrase break away

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use breakaway in a sentence

The crowd began to lurch violently, as small motions rippled out into panicked attempts to break away.
The War Inside: Terrorism & Teenhood in ‘No Dawn Without Darkness’|Hugh Ryan|August 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They are attached to the wings on pylons and under any impact will break away.
Mysterious Debris Near Australia Looks like MH370’s Wing|Clive Irving|March 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Like the wings, the tail surfaces—horizontal and vertical—easily break away from the fuselage and float.
Mysterious Debris Near Australia Looks like MH370’s Wing|Clive Irving|March 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In most coming-of-age novels, the protagonist wants to break away from a world that is holding him down.
Great Weekend Reads: 4 New Novels, November 13, 2011|Susan Salter Reynolds, Christopher Byrd, John Wilwol, Jennifer Miller|November 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST

In the past several weeks, a few male reporters have boldly told me they enjoyed the sequel, a break away from the herd mentality.
Can a Straight Man Love Sex and the City?|Michael Patrick King|May 23, 2010|DAILY BEAST
And it is quite true that the particular employer can no more break away from these limits than he can jump out of his own skin.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Frank sprang after him and caught the reins before the startled creature could break away.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
The incident, however, gave Darry a chance to break away from the insistent Belle.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
McGinty was growling, while Joe was trying to break away without losing an ear.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
But that night when he was struck down, the blows seemed to break away the connection between the present and the past.
The Bag of Diamonds|George Manville Fenn

British Dictionary definitions for breakaway

breakaway

/ (ˈbreɪkəˌweɪ) /

noun

loss or withdrawal of a group of members from an association, club, etc
(as modifier)a breakaway faction

sport

a sudden attack, esp from a defensive position, in football, hockey, etc
an attempt to get away from the rest of the field in a race

Australian a stampede of cattle, esp at the smell of water

verb break away (intr, adverb)

(often foll by from) to leave hastily or escape

to withdraw or secede

sport to make a breakaway

horse racing to start prematurely

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with breakaway

break away

Leave hurriedly, escape, get loose. For example, The boy tried to break away, but his mother held onto his coat, or On the last lap the horse broke away from the pack. [First half of 1500s]

Sever connections with a group. For example, It was hard for me to break away from that organization, but I knew it was necessary.

Stop doing something, as in She broke away from work long enough to go out for lunch.

breakaway

Origin of breakaway

Words related to breakaway

How to use breakaway in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for breakaway

Other Idioms and Phrases with breakaway